ARNOLD, Nebraska (KOLN) – The Center School in Arnold is often used to teach children the first steps of education. It also serves as a bed and breakfast.
Berni Crow owns and operates the Center School Museum and Guest House. She was a teacher in Arnold Public Schools for 36 years and has a passion for education, so it’s only natural that she would be involved in running this single-classroom school museum.
“This school was in District 184,” Crow said. “It was between Callaway and Oconto, then moved to town and was used as a meeting place for the Legionnaires and the Boy Scouts. First it was moved to Callaway. Later we moved it to Arnold. My husband’s cousin had a house right next to the school at the time. She said she would sell it to me for free. Then she said $400. I was thrilled either way and we moved it.”
Moving the old one-room school took a lot of work. “When we brought the school onto this property, the property was full of weeds,” Crow said. “My husband brought 45 truckloads of dirt to raise it so we could put in a basement, and the basement now serves as a bed and breakfast.”
Crow said she is often very busy because people like to stay at the boarding house. They come up and have the opportunity to experience a beautifully decorated one-room school.
Crow said that during her time as a teacher she offered “pioneer days” for her students at the school and that today other people also run such courses for young people.
“Every 19th century school is unique,” Crow said. “A student once asked me why we have tall and short chairs in one room. Well, that was most likely a kindergarten through 8th grade school. Other things that make the school unique are all the items I’ve received, including quilts from women’s sewing groups. So this building contains a lot more than just educational materials.”
If you would like to take a tour of the one-classroom school, you can contact Berni Crow in Arnold. The company is also listed on the Airbnb website.
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